In the spring of 2017, Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf (Oranjewerf) welcomed the new-build 'VOS Start', Vroon’s first DP2, subsea-support, walk-to-work (W2W) vessel. The 80m 'VOS Start' arrived directly from her build yard in China for the installation of a series of upgrades including the installation and testing of a number of sophisticated items of key equipment supplied by Dutch manufacturers.

Convenient and efficient

These systems included a motion-compensated gangway system - the first of its kind - by Barge Master and Bosch Rexroth; the extended installation of a Kongsberg reference system (including a ‘windfarm module’); and an active heave-compensated crane from SMST. With both Barge Master and SMST based in the Netherlands, it was logical to use a local yard for the installations as all the necessary expertise and support is close by. Other local specialist suppliers also contributed to what was the most complex upgrade yet for a VOS subsea support vessel at Oranjewerf.

These specialists included Niron Staal Amsterdam, another member of the Damen Shipyards Group, which fabricated two boat landing ladders which were then installed by Oranjewerf. Other equipment installed include a Lightweight Taut Wire, Radius and a Hipap position reference system, all manufactured by Kongsberg. The mountings necessary for up to eight temporary living units, supplied by H2M, were also fitted, along with many other modifications.

The ideal yard for the job

With the vessel due to start a charter immediately after the work was completed it was essential that no time was wasted and everyone involved worked efficiently and effectively. Double shifts were worked when needed and on occasions activity continued around the clock to ensure that progress remained on schedule.

Oranjewerf is particularly well-suited for this type of complex project. Not only is the workforce highly skilled and experienced, the yard also has extensive craneage on its berths and space on the quays for the largest mobile cranes. During the course of the works, the 'VOS Start' also spent time in Oranjewerf’s 135-metre floating dock to allow the installation of the boat landings.

A valued client

The 'VOS Start' is the fourth in a series of new vessels for Vroon that they have brought to Oranjewerf for finishing off following their initial build in China. “We returned to Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf based on our good experience that we have had over the years with them,” commented Vroon senior Newbuilding Superintendent Foppe Molenaar. “We bring our uncompleted vessels here as the yard has proven its ability to undertake complex work quickly and handle the last-minute surprises that are typical of these projects. Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf is also very open to working with external suppliers. At times we had a lot of people working in a small area, but it all went smoothly. For us, working with Oranjewerf feels like being part of a single, integrated team and the end result has been most satisfactory".

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